Administrators

To offer training and support to these grantees on a national level, BJA, with the support of its technical assistance provider, The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSGJC), will convene a Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) and Connect and Protect (C&P) Grantee Virtual Symposium in August 2024.

Given the variety of behavioral challenges that can occur in a school environment, it is essential for school resource officers, security personnel, and school staff to possess strong de-escalation skills. These abilities are crucial for preventing situations from escalating and for responding effectively to the unique needs of each student. Through effective de-escalation, stakeholders can improve student safety, maintain a positive learning environment, enhance trust between officers and students, and reduce student involvement in the juvenile justice system.

During this reporting period, there were three cohort calls for the Targeted Implementation and Planning Support (TIPS) juvenile project sites. Two were hosted by The Center for Children's Law and Policy (CCLP), one in January and one in February. The third was hosted by the PRC itself in June 2024. These calls provide an opportunity for site representatives to learn from one another and request assistance on challenges they may be facing. As particular issues arise, the facilitators provide information and resources to respond to issues of interest to participants.

These discussions are intended to provide opportunities for peer
engagement, idea generation, and discussions of innovative solutions
and practices related to achieving and maintaining compliance with the
PREA Standards.
Further, these sessions provide an important opportunity for the PRC
and the PREA Management Office (PMO), within Bureau of Justice
Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice to more deeply understand
the unique PREA implementation challenges and strengths of smaller,